Blackmane was not put off by those odds, but he was also able to kill seven men if the need arose. ‘What about the Emlyn group? Do they have the numbers?’

‘No one knows anymore. There might be fifty of them or five thousand.’

Tatum frowned. ‘And why’s that?’

‘Because we never see them,’ Ita answered. ‘They tend to stick farther north and very much to themselves.’

‘I’m honestly surprised you haven’t joined forces by now,’ Tatum said.

Ita shrugged. ‘Neither group is very trusting of anyone outside of their own. And we would have to find them first.’

‘You don’t,’ Thorn said. ‘They find you.’

Tatum looked between the pair. ‘You likely know this already, but defenders are excellent trackers.’

‘Can you track ghosts?’ Thorn asked.

Blackmane exhaled slowly. ‘We don’t believe in ghosts.’

‘They would have people in those camps too,’ Tatum said. ‘They would want that place emptied out as much as you do.’

Thorn nodded. ‘Of course. They’re the reason the second camp isn’t open yet.’

They all fell silent a moment.

‘Does your king know about what’s happening over here?’ Blackmane asked.

‘We don’t have a king,’ Ita said. ‘He abandoned us during the famine and now wants us locked up for daring to survive.’

Thorn glanced sideways at her. ‘We have no way of knowing. We’d have to get past the marcher lords first.’

There was no denying that King Edward II had done some irreparable damage during the final years of his reign.

‘Maybe it’s time to claim your independence, then,’ Tatum said.

Ita laughed. ‘And should we build a wall around the wastelands? Raise a pagan flag?’

Tatum waved a finger at her. ‘Oh, I see what you did there.’

A large bird swooped between them, prompting everyone to reach for their weapons.

‘It’s Margery,’ Ita said, extending one arm.

The eagle landed, yelping in a way that Blackmane had never heard before.

‘What’s the matter with her?’ he asked.

‘She’s upset,’ Ita said, stroking Margery’s back soothingly.

Blackmane narrowed his eyes. ‘About what?’

Ita gave him a tired look. ‘I may be able to gauge her moods, defender, but I don’t speak fluent eagle.’

An uneasy feeling flourished in Blackmane’s gut. ‘Do you think it has to do with Isabel?’

‘Possibly, but it might be as simple as not being able to find her.’ She met his gaze. ‘I’m not sure whether you’ve noticed, but they’re rather attached.’

Blackmane shook his head as good sense and impulsiveness warred inside him. ‘Perhaps I should go to the camp, check on things.’

Tatum whipped his head in Blackmane’s direction. ‘Absolutely not. If Hodge sees you—’

‘He won’t.’

Ita stepped forwards. ‘I could go with you.’

Thorn glared at her. ‘I think we’ve lost enough people in the past twenty-four hours. Don’t you?’

Ita swallowed guiltily.